Paula Abdul Is ‘Excited’ for ‘American Idol’ Reboot But Doesn’t Want to Come Back as a Judge

Straight up, now tell Us this isn’t true, Paula Abdul! The 54-year-old pop star said in a new interview that she is thrilled for the American Idol reboot, but she isn’t interested in returning to the show as a judge. See what she had to say in the video above.

The “Forever Your Girl” singer — who served as a judge on AI from 2002 until 2009 — stopped by the Today show on Monday, May 15, to share her thoughts about the beloved singing competition’s upcoming ABC revival.

“I’m excited for the reboot,” she said. “I had an incredible time on that show and blessed to be part of it from the beginning, but I think they need to do a whole reboot.”

Abdul’s admission comes just days after her former Idol co-judge Simon Cowell said he doesn’t want any part in the show. “I was asked to do it, and the answer is no,” Cowell, 57, told Extra on Thursday, May 11. “I have no interest. My memories are when we first started. It was a different time with Randy [Jackson], Ryan [Seacrest] and Paula. You can’t re-create that.”